Oldfield, Chairperson of BGCI, provides consultation for the 'B.E.S.T Campus' Project
It is Expected to promote international cooperation such as inter-disciplinary convergence and integrated research for global environmental issues
[September 13, 2012]

 YU (president Lee, Hyo-soo) appointed Sara Oldfield (54), chairperson of BGCI (Botanic Gardens Conservation International) as its Distinguished International Advisor.

 Chairperson Oldfield, who came to Korea to make a presentation on a session for world botanic conservation in the WCC (World Conservation Congress) held in Jeju from September 6 to September 10, visited the YU president's office on the 13th.

 Here, YU president Lee, Hyo-soo appointed Chairperson Oldfield as the 'Distinguished International Advisor for B.E.S.T Campus'. Thus, Chairperson Oldfield is expected to provide expert advice from a global perspective for the next two years on strategies for establishing the 'B.E.S.T (Beautiful, Enjoyable, Sustainable green, and Top most) Campus' for YU.

 After visiting the president's office, she took a look at the YU campus including the newly renovated hiking trail, botanical garden and folklore park, and said to Lee, Hyo-soo, "This is my first time in Korea and I've come to the 'B.E.S.T Campus' right after attending the WCC, which lacks in nothing compared to any other university in the world." She added, "I will do all I can so that YU's 'B.E.S.T Campus' strategy can become a role model for other universities around the world."

 President Lee, Hyo-soo replied, "We will make the 'B.E.S.T Campus that universities around the world benchmark," and added, "At this juncture in time where climate change and environmental destruction is threatening the future of humanity, conserving biological diversity and protecting the environment has become ever more important. Please be a bridge so that YU can actively participate in inter-disciplinary convergence and integrated research, as well as international collaboration, on global environmental issues."

 Chairperson Oldfield promised full-hearted cooperation and as her first activity, she gave a special lecture at the College of Natural Resources for hour from 11am and urged interest of students by giving presentations of the importance of botanical preservation and the roles of BGCI.

 Meanwhile, BGCI, which was established in 1987 for the preservation of botanical resources and education on the environment, is the world's largest international botanical conservation organization with over 700 botanical gardens, arboretums and private individuals from 118 countries around the world. It is currently based in London and has branches in the US, Kenya, China and Singapore, while conducting GSPC (Global Strategy for Plant Conservation). For this, in order to provide information on botanical gardens worldwide and on the types of plants, it is currently constructing an online database. In Korea, the Korea National Arboretum, Seoul National University Arboretum and Professor Kim, Yong-shik of YU (Department of Landscape Architecture) are members of BGCI.